WITH the 75th anniversary of VE Day this year, the 'Village at War Weekend' celebrations at Stoke Bruerne was to be something special.

But in the light of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, and after significant consideration, the Friends of the Canal Museum informed us that there will be a temporary suspension of hostilities in Stoke Bruerne this year and the Village at War Weekend, due to take place on the 12th and 13th September has been cancelled, our being told:

Not taken lightly

"The decision has not been taken lightly, but uncertainty around how and when this global crisis will be resolved, and the need to keep our volunteers and visitors safe is paramount to us.

"We are pleased to say that our entertainers, living history groups and re-enactors will be joining us once again to keep the home fires burning on the 11th and 12th September 2021 and we look forward to welcoming you all again then."

Started way back in 2007 as an experiment, the celebrations were a resounding success and have gone from strength to strength ever since, but this, its 13th has alas proven unlucky.